Switching voltage regulator but what after it?

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Here is a hopefully simple question, and a little explanation to go with it.

Okay,here we go...

I am currently adding extra sensors and bits and bobs that eat up power on my robot and I would like to give my robot a bit more power to work with and so that it can run longer. That is simple thanks to12 AA batteries

My robot uses a Picaxe 28X1 and from what I have read it doesn't like more that 12V.

Here is the problem: my 12 AA's give out 18V ( and yes I did use a calculator! ) but I can only give my chip 12 of those 18V.

I though about using a power regulator but they waste exes power as heat... I need something more efficient,

so what about a switching voltage regulator? https://www1.elfa.se/data1/wwwroot/webroot/Z_DATA/06959803.pdf

I was thinking of having one take the 18V down to 12V..... but after that I am stuck between 2 choices:

 

- Have 2 switching voltage regulators devide the 12V into 2 X 6 V ( one for the primary power supply and one for the second power supply)

 

- Or, if there is suck a thing, have a chip or something small devide the 12V into 2 X 6V

 

So the question is witch option is better?

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If you want your robot to

If you want your robot to run longer, you should hook up your batteies in parallel. Make 3 packs of 4 batteries (for 6 volts each pack) then hook the red to red to red and black to black to black, to then power your micro. No switcher needed.

Battery current reserves, which is what is needed to run longer, adds with batteries hooked in parallel. In series, voltage is addded, which only gives more of a push to the current contained. Hooking in series will add no more runtime.

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thats it ?? I considered

thats it ??

I considered doing that but it slipped my mind. All that thinking for nothing!! :slight_smile:

Got to say I stil think my idea was cooler…

Thanks, will start playing with the battery holders